Improvement in shampooing apparatus



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARK L. wINN, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHAMPOOING APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,921, dated December 12, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARK L. WINN, of the city, county, and State of N ew York, formerly of San Francisco, State of California, have invented cerl tain Improvements in Shampooing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification This invention relates to certain improvements in Mark L. Winns shampooing apparatus, patented November 2, 1869, and numbered 96,528, by which improvements a person may have his hair washed, brushed, showered with water, and, lastly, dried while retaining an easy and comfortable sitting position, without being encumbered with the Weight of the apparatus, and by which these several operations may be performed in the most agreeable, rapid, and thorough manner; also, the water-tight adjustment ofthe helmet or shampooing-basin to the persons head is accomplished in a superior manner. To accomplish these objects the invention consists of, First, details of the construction of the helmet and the combination of the same with a detachable vertically and horizontally adjustable standard and bracket, supported by attachments to a chair. Second, in addition to the helmet, a safetytrough and collar. Third, implement to facilitate the application of a helmet on a persous head. Fourth, a detachable sprinkler for showering the head. Fifth, a drier attached to the same standard as the helmet, and heated by caloric introduced through pipes, or by a dame from a spiritlamp placed on a platform attached to the drier underneath; all of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l, Sheet l, represents a side view of the helmet and safetytrough and collar as attached and applied for the purpose of shampooing a person sitting at ease in a chair. Fig. 2, Sheet 1, is a sectional view, through the line x a' of Fig. 3, of the drier in the position when used to dry a ladys hair. Fig. 3, Sheet 1, is a plan view of the under side of the hair-drier. Fig. 4, Sheet l, is a cross-section of the same taken through the liney y, Fig. 3. Fig. 5, Sheet l, is a cross-section of the same taken through the line z z, Fig. 3. Fig. 6, Sheet 1, represents the shower-wash sprinkler attached to an ordinary pitcher, shown in side view. Fig. 7, Sheet 2, represents the same in detail. Fig. 8, Sheet 2, is a sectional elevation of the helmet taken through the line o o, Fig. 9. Fig. 9, Sheet 2, is a bottom-plan view of the helmet. Fig. 10, Sheet 2, is a top view of the safety-trough and collar. Fig. 11., Sheet 2, is a section of the trough through the line w zo of Fig. 10. Fig. 12, Sheet 2, is a detail plan view of the collar. Fig. 13,

' Sheet 2, represents the adjustable standard. Fig.

14, Sheet 2, is a cross-section of the same through the line uu, Fig. 13. Fig. l5, Sheet 3, represents an edge view of the band or implement used to apply the helmet on a persons head. Fig. 16, Sheet 3, is a side View of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

A is the helmet, provided with the stationary or detachable` partition a, over which is spread the hair to be washed when of more than ordinary length, such as a ladys7 hair, for the purpose of preventing it from entangling during the operation of shampooing. The helmet A is fitted on a persons head bythe flanged rubber bottom B contracting around the head by the force of its own elasticity, and is still more firmly and tightly secured by means of the strap and buckle a; after which the drapery a is pulled down over the rubber bottom and iiange, and, contracting by means of a slender elastic string, forms graceful folds all around the head, producing the effect of a showy turban. The iange b of the rubber bottom B is also made of rubber or other suitable material, thin in front and behind, but thick at the sides, where it is recessed to inclose the upper part of the ear when it is adjusted to the head. It is thus constructed in order to obtain the desired pressure at the sides of the head when the strap a which passes over it is drawn tight, the lateral diameter of the human head being less than the antero-posterior diameter. A similar eifect is produced by making the iiange b of uniform thickness and the strap a thick where it binds the sides of the head when adjusted. The flange b may be cushioned on its inner surface, where it comes in contact with the head, with soft rubber, or what is termed rubber sponge, which, when pressed against the head by drawing tight the strap a', conforms, by its softness and elasticity, to the inequalities of the cranium, renders the pressure easy, and makes a water-tight inclosnre.

In order to adj ust the helmet to the head it is necessary first to expand or enlarge the opening in the rubber bottom B. For this purpose the said rubber bottom Bis provided with a number of straps, b, attached to the tlange b. and the enlargement ot" the aperture is etl`ected by pulling the said straps outwardly t'rom the center and hooking them on the buttons b attached to the lower rim otl the metallic part ot' the helmet. This adjustment o1' the helmet. however. may be greatly facilitated and the straps b dispensed With by using the steel band shown in Figs. 15 and 16, Sheet 3. one continuous piece ot' spring metal or ot' two parts hinged together at c, one ot which is provided with an ordinary beltloop, c', through which the free end ot' the other part is inserted when the band is closed. ln this state the band C is inserted in the aperture otl the rubber bottoln B, and by then pulling the baud t open the saidapertureisconsequentlyenlargedsutliciently to receive one`s head, ai'tcr which the band (l is removed, the rubber bottom B closes upon the head, and the helmet is then readily adjusted.

Projecting from the rear ot' the helmet isa rod, D, made to slide in the bracket li, which latter is attachable, by means ot' a bolt and lug, 1, to the upper end c ofthe toothed rack j' oi' the standard l". 'lhe rackfisoperated by a pinion. f', and held securely in any position by the ratchet-wheeljw and pawl il, the latter being attached to the trame y ot' the standard l". the ratchet-wheelf and pinion ff being secured to the shaft g pivoted in the same t'ramil y', in which also the rackf slides. To manipulate the pinion j" the shat't y is provided with a hand-wlieel, H. l

By the combination ot' the rod l) and bracket E the bolt and lng I and the bracket i'. pinion'f", ratchet-wheel and pawl y. the helmet A can be adjusted horizontally and vertically. as well as inclined to suit any person's convenience. and

turned back or removed, at'ter the operation ot' head-bathing, by witlulrawing the bolt d, the standard l being secured at its lower end to the chair by means ot' the sliding bar /l and clamp l1', and at the upper end by means ot' a clamp or catch or projection, l1, resting on the back otl the chair. Other meanscan be used t'or securing it to the chair. ln place ot' the alove-described apparatus t'or adjusting the helmet to the head it may be supported t'rom the wall orceiling ot' the room, or t'rom an elevated support. by a rope and pulley or elastic bands, or other means whereby it can be readily adjusted t'or use.

The helmet A, when properly attached. tits the head absolutely water-tight. 'lo provide. however, against the possibility ot' anywater trickling down upon a person's clothes when, in consequence ot' a rush of business or other reasons, the helmet has been less carefully adjusted to the head, l have constructed the trough l and the rubber eollarJ. The trough I is made in two parts, united by the hinge i on one side, and when closed iitting loosely around the person's neck, and held in position (to rest inclined on the shoulders) by the clasp i on the other side. The forward edges ot' the rear part ot' the trough I overlap on the inner side the rear edges ot' the front part, which latter is provided with buttons Ii" for attaching the rubber collar J. A flexible This band may be luade ot ceptacle. After applying the trough I, the rubber collar J is litted tightly around the neck and secured on the buttons fi. By this simple device, easily and rapidly adjusted, not one drop ot' water can leak through. The trough I and the rubber collar J may be made in one piece, t'rom rubber or rubber cloth or other suitable material, in which t'orm it is also adapted t'orusc in the sick room or nursery to protect clothing t'rom slobber. The hair and scalp being washed, the dirty water is discharged from the helmet through the Hexible pipe L by opening the valve or plug l, and a shower of clean water poured on the head through the sprinkler M.

In order mainly to reduce the bulk ot the apparatus and enable its being put up t'or sale in a box ot moderate size, portable to and from the residences oi' customers, and for the convenience ot' private families, a water-can is dispensed with, and the sprinkler H so constructed that it may be attached to an ordinary waterpitcher, as shown in l"ig. ti, Sheet l. For this purpose l have provided an attaclnnent or cover, N, made ot' rubber, (see l `ig. 7, Sheet 2,) and ot' such a shape that it may be made to clasp or embrace the upper edge ot' a pitcher by a rim, n, while the upper and broader part m, covering almost the entire opening of the pitcher, prevents the water i'rom overtiowing when the pitcher is held in an inclined position in using the salue. The cover X is also provided with a short rubber tube, o, t'or receiving the ordinary funnel-shaped sprinkler. and with the straps n and buckle m', by which, at'ter being pulled tightly' to the edge ot' the pitcher, it may be secured to the saine in a permanent manner. The convenience and utility ot this sprinkling attaclnnent are obvious, as it occupies a very small compass, can be applied in a tew seconds to any ordinary pitcher, and thus also be used for watering plants and flowers, obviating the necessity of a garden-cali.

The salubrious eiiect o1' shampooing is counteracted to a great extent in the case of long and thick hair. which, by retaining the moisture for a long time, causes great inconvenience, orbecomes sour and musty it' dressed before thoroughly dried-a reason why ladies object to having their heads shalnpooed. To obviate this inconvenience is the purpose ot' the hair-drier O, Figs. 2, :L 4, 5, Sheet l. This consists of a h0l low vessel ot' tin, iron, or other suitable material, made ot' two parts, l and Q, jointed together at their edges and recessed in front, across which recess is a cushioned metallic plate, p, which, being lined with material non-conductive of heat, is used both i'or a head-rest and a guard or protection ot the neck from the heat ot' the drier O. This guard is so placed as to form an open space,

, p', between the said plate p and the recessed end ot' the drier t). The upper part P ot' the drierO is covered with cloth, which not only protects the hair from contact with the metallic plate beneath, hut facilitates the drying of the same by its property ot' absorption. The lower part or bottom Q is provided with lugs r, attachable by means of a bolt to the upper end of the rack f pipe, j, leads the spilled wat-er to a suitable re- 1 of the standard F, similar to the manner ot' attaching the helmet A. The bottom Q is also provided With an aperture, s, underneath Which is a platform, t, fastened to the bottom Q, and With a number of air-holes, u, along both edges at the front. The application of the drier is clearly shown in Fig. 2, Sheet l. The Washing of the head being finished, the helmet A is removed and the drier O attached in its place on the rack f of the standard F; after Which the hair is spread out over the upper surface of the drier O, the lady resting her neck on the cushioned plate p. On the platform t is now placed an alcohol lamp, the iiame of which rapidly heats the air in the drier, draught being effected through the aperture s and air-holes u. The use of the alcohol lamp for creating the desired heat is adapted to the portable form of this apparatus; but when the drier is used in a hair-dressing saloon a more convenient method is to introduce hot air from a reservoir through pipes or tubes leading to the drier O. In this case the upper plate P may be perforated With numerous holes, allowing the hot air to freely circulate through the hair While it is being combed and brushed, thus drying it rapidly. lt is important that the hair be thoroughly brushed and turned during this operation, in order to dry the hair uniformly and protect it from injury. The hot air, before it is introduced to the drier, may be scented with some agreeable aromatic substance, and thus the hair itself Will become perfumed during the process of drying. The space p prevents the heat of the drier O from being conducted to the plate p.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The rubber bottom B forming part of a bowl or basin for holding Water or other iiuid on and in contact with the head, substantially as herein described.

2. In combination with the helmet A, the flanged rubber bottom B provided With the strap ct', and adjusted for use by the straps b" and buttons b', substantially as hereinbefore shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. The band or hoop C constructed as described, in combination with the rubber bottom B and the helmet A, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The bar D and bracket E, in combination with the helmetA and also with the standard F, the latter consisting of the parts f f f, g g g, and H h h h, all attached, operating, and supported substantially as hereinbefore shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

5. In combination with the collar J, the safetytrough I, constructed and applied in the manner and for the purpose substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

6. The detachable sprinkler M, consisting of the rubber attachment N, in combination with an ordinary sprinkler constructed and attached to a pitcher substantially as herein shown and described, for the purpose set forth.

7. The hair-drier O, so constructed and arranged that the human hair, when Wet, may be dried on the surface thereof by the application of heat, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

MARK L. WINN.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM PoMERoY,

L. J. WATSON. (161) 

